In the early hours of Sunday morning, we entered and occupied Canton Police Station. We did not ask for permission, as it is our legal right to do so. Given Cardiff Police abandoned the building over a year ago, kindly leaving twelve different open windows for us to choose our entrance from, permission seemed a bit of a formality anyway.

We squat because we believe that corporations and landlords have no right to hold property empty for their own profit while people less lucky are homeless, that people should not have to sell their freedom to employers or jump through government hoops to put a roof over their heads, and that the police should not be allowed to act as hired muscle for the rich and powerful, consistently ignoring, abusing and outright breaking the law to maintain the interests of the ruling classes.

We are squatting here to show our disgust at the way the police use their power to oppress others for their own ends. Since the murder of Lynette White shone a light on the corruption of Cardiff Police, the people of Cardiff have seen for themselves that the police don't protect the public only themselves: while innocent people lost years of their lives in prison, the three cops who set them up - to protect the real murderer - walked free, pardoned by the IPCC in a move that made it clear just who the police care about. We squat here to show Cardiff Police not everyone is afraid.

To have a home is a basic right, not a commodity to be exploited as a resource by landlords for money and by the state to keep us in our place. Taking the building we act as individuals in a community we have made for ourselves, showing our defiance of the culture of fear the police maintain, and our will to resist oppression and support ourselves and on another.

Since writing the collective statement, cops visited in the afternoon way saying they didn't care and hoped we were all ok. At first they didn't realise they still owned it thinking it had been sold - LOLZ

So keys were then dropped off and they used Iceland's fire exit to gain access to our yard in an attempt to enter the building. Two cops tried a few doors and realised the building was indeed secure.

After some legal threats from us against their aggravated trespass and attempts to enter the building, as well as realising they had made a general mockery of themsevles, they left asking us to 'lock up after them' - referring to the gate and shutter. Shortly after we dropped two banners we had prepared earlier 'ACAB', 'Less cops, more squats' and a smiley face. So all is well still as of 2pm.

If you want to come visit get in contact (RBU phone 07742427502) or pop down to 194 Cowbridge Road East, Canton, CF5 1GW, it's on the corner of Market Road. You can have a tour of the former cells, take a hot shower, and otherwise chill with the ACAB crew :-)

Ever wanted to voluntarily visit a police station or sleep in a cell? Now is your chance!

well done the Cardiff team awesome work, keep it up this is what we need, especially building up to the anniversary of the new law around 1st september,autonomous actions and squats popping up everywhere.Hope you do some good events there raise awareness of some 'justice ' issues. Solidarity and support from the london squat resistance.